22 



MICROBES, FEEMENTS, AND MOULDS. 



In the spring, owing to the heat and moisture, the 

 hyphse of the sclerotis swell and send forth numerous 

 branches, bearing at their ex- 

 tremity a sort of rounded head, 

 in which the asci or peritheces 

 are developed (Figs. 10, 11, 12) ; 

 the endogenous spores issuing 

 from these asci germinate on 

 the rye-blossom, and produce 

 there a fresh sphacelium, then 

 a second ergot, thus always 

 passing through the same cycle 

 of alternation of generations. 

 Most of the GraminacecB and several CyperacecB are 

 capable of producing ergots resembling those of rye. 



Fig. H. — One of the heads or 

 orguQs of fructification in 

 ergot, still more magnified. 

 a, peritlieces. 



Fig. 12. — Portion of preceding figure nnder a very higli magnifying power, showing 

 at 6 the asci, and at c the spores issmng from the asci or peritheces. 



and possessing the same medical properties. The sug- 

 gestion has been made that instead of the ergot of rye 



